Category: kesq-local-news

Luis Avila

PALM SPRINGS, Calif. (KESQ) – In the wake of Saturday’s bomb in Palm Springs, local businesses are stepping up to give back to first responders and those impacted by the bomb.

Among those is Cafe La Jefa, offering free food and drinks to first responders.

“People are happy that we’re able to do what we can. I know it’s a small gesture. Nothing big. It’s not as life threatening as what the first responders are doing but in the way that we can we’re helping out. I think it goes a long way.”

Daniela Jimenez, Cafe La Jefa barista

A small gesture for Daniela, but for Lieutenant Mike Villegas, it makes a whole difference.

“I’ve been here for almost 24 years and that’s why I love our community. They always support us, they love us, they reach out to us, take care of us.”

Lieutenant Mike Villegas, PSPD

The support doesn’t end there. Other businesses like Boozehound serving food to those impacted by damage caused by the blast.

Aric Ianni, executive chef at Boozehound, says providing meals in times of need is more than just food.

“I think food is just like a universal language that really speaks to people and giving them that energy to get them through their day.”

Aric Ianni, Boozehound executive chef

A community coming together stronger and more united.

Stay with News Channel 3 for more.

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Tori King

PALM SPRINGS, Calif. (KESQ) – We’re hearing directly from some of the first responders who arrived at the scene of Saturday’s explosion in Palm Springs.

Fire crews found themselves at the site of the largest bombing in Southern California history on Saturday, but that didn’t stop them from going beyond the call of duty.

The FBI says the suspect, Guy Edward Barktus, used a car bomb to blow up a fertility clinic because of his anti-IVF and nihilistic beliefs. But what Barktus didn’t know was that his plan was going to fail, thanks to several heroes who put their lives on the line to make sure the embryos survived.

One of those heroes was Deputy Chief Greg Lyle, who says he was called in about an hour after the blast went off. He immediately got in contact with the clinic’s doctor, who informed the team about the embryos being stored inside the lab. 

Asst Fire Chief Greg Lyle (Left) and FBI agent Chris Meltzer (Right)

That’s when Lyle, along with the bomb squad, was tasked to come up with a rescue plan.

“There was kind of a lot of uncertainty. I didn’t feel comfortable in sending my guys in,” Lyle said.

At the moment, they weren’t sure if it had been affected by the blast but after careful consideration, they decided to go inside, saying saving the embryos was non-negotiable. 

“And so, you know, I said that if anybody was going to go, it was going to be me, the bomb squad technician. He agreed. So him and I decided to go in there. At some point, there was conversation where we said, you know, if we don’t try, the bad guy wins,” Lyle said.

The pair found a room where the cryogenic tanks were being stored and found they hadn’t been damaged by the homemade bomb. 

Lyle says the team realized the tanks were too large to remove but determined they were stable enough to keep inside; the only problem, the power was out.  It’s a problem, because embryos have to be stored at a certain temperature in order to survive, they’re frozen in liquid nitrogen at -321 degrees Fahrenheit, preserving them indefinitely. 

Since they couldn’t move the tanks, Lyle says that had to get the power back on.

The generator failed, but after a few hours, and a few more personnel, they managed to restore the power and save the embryos. 

Lyle said this was one of the most important jobs he’s ever worked on, and that since the rescue, one of the patients reached out to thank him. That patient was one of our very own Palm Springs firefighters. 

“I received a text message later on that night from one of the personnel fire department thanking me for saving his embryos, and then in later talking to him, it was, it’s his wife that had a scheduled appointment on Tuesday with the office,” Lyle said.

“Despite the building suffering structural collapse, this was nothing short of heroic, and I’m so proud of our firefighters,” said Palm Springs Fire Chief Paul Alvarado.

Lyle said that knowing he helped out one of his own, made the save that much more special.

“That’s when things started to kind of kind of hit home, that, like we were we, we were involved in something that was pretty special. So it was a team thing. It was not just me, if anything, I was just the one that came up with a crazy plan,” Lyle said.

“We were able to save all of the embryos at this facility. Good guys one. Bad guys zero,” said Akil Davis, assistant director in charge of the FBI in Los Angeles.

Stay with News Channel 3 for continuing coverage on the Palm Springs explosion investigation.

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Shay Lawson

PALM SPRINGS, Calif. — A powerful explosion rocked downtown Palm Springs Saturday, leaving damage scattered over a 100-yard radius according to investigators.

The blast shattered windows, rattled nerves and left local businesses like The Velvet Rope reeling.

Owner David Rios said he’s spent days sweeping up debris and repairing broken windows — without the help of insurance.

“No one tells you that you need terrorism insurance, you think about fire and floods,” Rios said. “In the meantime, when we gave them the claim, we were denied.”

Despite the devastation, Rios said a strong sense of community has emerged.

“They have given me love and support,” Rios said.

Rios colleagues said he is a beacon of kindness not only to the community of Palm Springs but to all those around him.

To support The Velvet Rope during this time, visit its GoFundMe.

Crews are continuing cleanup efforts as the investigation proceeds.

Stay with News Channel 3 for the latest updates.

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Shay Lawson

PALM SPRINGS, Calif. (KESQ) – Palm Springs Mayor Ron deHarte spoke live with News Channel 3’s Shay Lawson to share his message to the community after a bomb explosion rocked the city on Saturday.

“It’s going to take time to heal the wounds that have been caused and the emotions and the incredible stress, not just for us two-legged folks, but our pets also that have been really impacted,” deHarte said “So I asked for patience. We’re going to get there. It’s still an active crime scene, so the investigation is, we’re not even 48 hours in, so answers are going to come it’s going to take a little bit of time.”

deHarte said the city has been working to provide resources and supplies to homeowners or businesses that were impacted by the blast.

“We’ve been working and having conversations for the last two days, talking to our other elected officials in different departments. Asking the questions about what resources are available, especially since insurance companies are looking at this as an act of terrorism,” deHarte said. “So we are rallying all the partners. I know Supervisor Perez has been checking with their Economic Development Department at the county level, we’re talking with Small Business Administration and any other department we can. Reach out to so we’re gathering the information on what programs may be available to our residents and our businesses.”

deHarte directed residents to visit EngagePalmSprings.com for a list of resources and information from the city.

Stay with News Channel 3 for continuing coverage on the Palm Springs explosion.

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Garrett Hottle

BANNING, Calif. (KESQ) – Opening statements began in the trial of a real estate developer accused of providing six-figure bribes to former Palm Springs Mayor Steve Pougnet, who pleaded guilty last week to a slate of felony charges connected to his support for the defendant’s projects.

John Elroy Wessman, 86, is charged with nine counts of bribery of a public official and one count of conspiracy to commit a felony.   

After several days of jury selection at the Banning Justice Center, Riverside County Superior Court Judge Samuel Diaz on Friday swore in a panel to hear the prosecution’s case against Wessman, who is free on his own recognizance.

During a court conference Wednesday, Pougnet, 62, admitted nine counts of bribery by a public official, eight counts of illicit financial interest in public contracts and one count of conspiracy, as well as no contest to three perjury counts. The plea was directly to the court, without negotiations between the defense and the District Attorney’s Office.   

Prosecutors objected to the plea because “the defendant took advantage of the public trust,” the D.A.’s office said in a statement. Pougnet, who is also free on his own recognizance, is slated for sentencing on July 2 and is expected to receive probation.   

He, Wessman and 59-year-old Richard Hugh Meaney were criminally charged, for the first time, in 2017 and later indicted by a grand jury.   

All the felony charges against Meaney were later dismissed. However, he pleaded guilty to a reinstated misdemeanor count of financial conflict in a government contract. Meaney is free and due for sentencing in June.   

The case, which began as a federal corruption probe until it was turned over to county investigators in 2016, has been plagued by repeated delays, some resulting from ongoing challenges by the defense to the indictment, as well as the COVID lockdowns, Pougnet’s relocation to another state, changes to legal counsel and related complications.   

A trial judge in December 2020 dismissed all counts against Wessman, characterizing them as baseless, but the charges were reinstated by the Fourth District Court of Appeals in Riverside less than two years later.   

Pougnet served two terms as mayor, leaving office in 2015.   

The influence-buying scheme that prosecutors say the men were involved in netted Pougnet close to $400,000 between 2012 and 2014, securing his public support for projects brought before the Palm Springs City Council, specifically The Dakota, the Desert Fashion Plaza, The Morrison and Vivante.

Steve Pougnet and John Wessman (2012)

Payments to Pougnet were drawn directly from accounts maintained by Meaney’s Union Abbey Co. and Wessman Development Inc., according to the prosecution.

Deputy District Attorney Amy Barajas told the grand jury in 2019 Pougnet planned to move to Colorado to join his husband and two children when his first term ended in 2011, but the two developers allegedly put him “on their payroll” in order to gain his votes of confidence in their projects.

“This is a case about political corruption in Palm Springs,” Barajas said. “What kind of corruption? Well, one of the oldest stories in the book. Some wealthy real estate developers get a politician on their payroll, and in exchange they get favorable treatment, inside access and large contracts.”   

She said Pougnet was hesitant about remaining for a second term as mayor. The grand jury was shown an email exchange from May 30, 2011, between him and Meaney, in which the latter wrote, “Everything is in place. The big question from everyone is … what are your plans?”  

Pougnet’s response indicated their relationship hinged on the defendant securing something in return.

“I need to know that an offer is very real, that I am an employee somewhere that has a letter `of employment,”’ Pougnet wrote. “That will make a decision much easier. As you know, a month ago, this was not even an option on the table with me and Christopher. Staying (in Palm Springs) has huge family implications considering I would be going back and forth.”

The then-mayor accepted $225,000 as an initial incentive to remain active in local government, according to prosecutors.

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Jesus Reyes

PALM SPRINGS, Calif. (KESQ) – Indian Canyon and Gene Autry Trail are now open at the Whitewater wash in Palm Springs.

The important traffic arteries had been closed for days due to strong winds, which caused low visibility and covered the roads with drifting sand.

Stay with News Channel 3 for continuing updates.

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City News Service

NORTH PALM SPRINGS, Calif. (KESQ) – A fire damaged a North Palm Springs home today, displacing two residents and causing minor injuries to one person and a firefighter.

The fire was reported shortly after 1:30 p.m. near North Indian Canyon Drive and 18th Avenue in the unincorporated area of North Palm Springs, according to the Riverside County Fire Department.

Crews contained the fire shortly after 2:30 p.m. Monday, the department said.

A resident and a firefighter were taken to a hospital to be treated for their minor injuries, sheriff’s officials said.   

The American Red Cross was requested to assist the displaced residents.   

Firefighters were expected to remain on scene for about an hour to conduct overhaul operations.

The cause of the fire was under investigation.

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City News Service

INDIO, Calif. (KESQ) – Two men accused of killing a man and wounding two others in an attack in Palm Springs must stand trial for murder and other charges, a judge ruled today.

Anastascio Jesus Machuca, 23, and Antonio Marins, 24, were arrested in 2022 following the alleged shooting in the area of East Ramon Road and Highway 111.

Following a preliminary hearing at the Larson Justice Center in Indio Monday, Riverside County Superior Court Judge James Hawkins found there was sufficient evidence to bound both defendants over for trial on the first-degree murder count, as well as two counts of attempted murder and sentence-enhancing gun and great bodily injury allegations.

Marins was additionally held to answer for firing a gun from a vehicle.   

The judge scheduled a post-preliminary hearing arraignment for June 4. Each man is being held in lieu of $1 million bail at the Byrd Detention Center in Murrieta.

According to the Palm Springs Police Department, shortly after 2 a.m. on Oct. 30, 2022, Machuca and Marins were in the 5600 block of Ramon when they allegedly got into an unspecified dispute with the three victims, whose identities were not disclosed.

Investigators said the confrontation quickly turned physical, at which point Machuca allegedly opened fire with a handgun, followed by Marins, who police said discharged multiple rounds as he sped away, trailing Machuca in a separate car.

All three young men in the line of fire were hit. One died at the scene, the other two were treated at a regional trauma center, ultimately recovering.

The defendants were almost immediately identified as the alleged assailants. Sheriff’s deputies located Marins in Palm Desert hours later, taking him into custody without incident.

Detectives tracked Machuca down in Mecca, where he was arrested uneventfully around the same time.

Neither defendant has documented prior felony convictions.

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City News Service

LOS ANGELES (KESQ) – Federal prosecutors in Los Angeles today announced the launch of a program to file complaints and arrest warrants to allow federal law enforcement to take defendants into federal custody from state jails.   

The program, called Operation Guardian Angel, seeks “to neutralize California’s sanctuary state policy and protect Americans from criminal illegal aliens incarcerated in county jails by issuing federal arrest warrants for them,” according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Central District of California.   

The program, which began May 10, has resulted in the arrest of 13 defendants on federal charges as of last Thursday, prosecutors said.   

“Even the worst criminal aliens in state custody are frequently released into the community because California’s sanctuary state policies block cooperation with federal law enforcement,” U.S. Attorney Bill Essayli said in a statement. “These laws effectively render federal immigration detainers meaningless. The days of giving criminal illegal aliens a free pass are over. While California may be presently disregarding detainers, it cannot ignore federal arrest warrants.”  

An immigration detainer is a request from U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement asking a federal, state or local law enforcement agency — including jails, prisons or other confinement facilities — to notify the requesting agency as early as possible before releasing a removable undocumented immigrant, and to hold the person for up to 48 hours beyond the scheduled release time so the U.S. Department of Homeland Security can assume custody under federal immigration law.

A release from the U.S. Attorney’s Office  said the goal of Operation Guardian Angel is “to neutralize — as far as possible — California’s sanctuary state policy and make our community safer.” 

The Central District of California — comprised of the counties of Los Angeles, Orange, Riverside, San Bernardino, San Luis Obispo, Santa Barbara, and Ventura — is home to an estimated 1.5 million undocumented immigrants, according to federal prosecutors.

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Jesus Reyes

Update 5/20/25

The missing woman was found dead off of Highway 247 in Johnson Valley Monday afternoon, the San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department announced.

Authorities said Bird was found dead near a large group of boulders.

An autopsy will be performed to uncover the cause of her death.

The investigation is ongoing and anyone with information about this case is asked to contact Detective Eric Rebollar, Specialized Investigations Division at (909) 890-4904. Callers can remain anonymous and contact We-Tip at 800-78CRIME or www.wetip.com.

Original Report – 5/19/25

TWENTYNINE PALMS, Calif. (KESQ) – Authorities are asking for the public’s help in the search for an 86-year-old woman who has been missing since Saturday in Twentynine Palms.

Lorraine Blondina Bird was last seen at her home on the 6000 block of Roberts Avenue in Twentynine Palms at around Noon on Saturday, according to the Morongo Basin Sheriff’s Station.

Police said Bird left her residence in her gray 2002 Mercedes E-Class sedan with custom license plate LBBIRD1.

Bird is described as 5 feet tall, weighing approximately 90 pounds, with brown hair with some red and brown eyes.

Police added that Bird had the early onset of dementia and other medical issues. She did not take her medications with her.

Please call Sheriff’s dispatch immediately if seen at (909)387-8313, reference report 202500618.

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